Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Three ‘Reforms’ That Are Deprofessionalizing Teaching | NEA Today

Three ‘Reforms’ That Are Deprofessionalizing Teaching | NEA Today:


Three ‘Reforms’ That Are Deprofessionalizing Teaching

By Tim Walker
According to the 2102 PDK/Gallup survey, the American public overwhelmingly holds the teaching profession in high regard. People believe the profession should impose entrance requirements that are just as selective, if not more so, than those required in fields such as business, pre-law, and engineering. In other words, treat teachers like true professionals – as they are in nations that have much higher rates of student achievement.
And yet, as Richard Milner of Vanderbilt University points out, certain so-called education “reforms” that enjoy a good deal of public support, not to mention sycophantic media coverage, are doing exactly the opposite – de-professionalizing the teaching profession.
In a policy brief published by the National Education Policy Center with funding from the Great Lakes


Does America Really Need More Cops in Schools?

The push for more cops or other armed security personnel in schools is running headlong into another movement that’s been quietly growing in states. It’s a push to get police out of schools, or at least to end their involvement in routine discipline matters that principals and parents used to address without involvement from law enforcement officers. Source: Mother Jones


The Effectiveness of Learning with iPads

New research indicates students largely believe the iPads are a valuable tool. Parents also see the iPads as beneficial, but some have some reservations with the technology. Notably, 90 percent of students said the iPad aided their learning. They liked the instant feedback that comes with iPads. Students no longer have to wait days for test results — now it’s a matter of minutes. Source: The Coast News